Can someone answer this: What is considered "excessive speed" by the police? Is it anything over the speed limit or some higher number that shows gross negligence?

Streets like Phyllis attract speeders because they're cut-through routes drivers use to avoid traffic. Other similar streets include: Stierlin, Montecito,Del Medio. What would it take to put traffic calming here like they did to slow down cars on Dana Street, Farley and Thompson?

Posted by Again and Again and Again
a resident of Cuesta Park
on Mar 5, 2013 at 12:09 pm

The problem isn't how fast it SAYS people need to go on Phyllis, its how fast they actually go. Usually above 40 as they speed through to Grant.
We need some psycho ticket writing cops roving the roads to get speeds under control. People go very slow past St. Joe's on Miramonte for a reason: The cops lived there for a long time ticketing drivers and drivers got the point. Its a recipe that can be repeated, we just need the cops to start doing radar and ticketing with wild abandon.
PLEASE MVPD...we're BEGGING you for aggressive ticketing of the speeders!!!

Posted by livedonphyllis
a resident of another community
on Mar 5, 2013 at 1:57 pm

It finally happened. I was raised at 1247 Phyllis. My dad was the one to get the crosswalk put in back in the 60's at Hans/Phyllis. I walked to Bubb, Graham, and Awalt. Never in all the 40+ years I lived there, did they have a fatality. Sign of the times. Crazy %^$ drivers speeding down that street like they do all over Mt. View. So glad I left town. Sad for that victim.

Posted by RIP
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Mar 5, 2013 at 2:10 pm

There seems to have been a huge number of car vs pedestrian collisions in Mountain View over the past year, including multiple fatalities. Is this year much worse than in the past? Is Mountain View much worse than neighboring cities? Both seem true to me. Why is that?

Posted by Mary
a resident of Martens-Carmelita
on Mar 5, 2013 at 2:20 pm

Oh, such a sad story. I bet visibility at dusk plays a role in this accident.
I am impressed that the driver (who is female notice, cuz boys tend to run like hell from consequences) stopped and waited for police to arrive. I have zero tolerance for hit/run drivers and I despise them for their cowardice. I admire her grown up sense of duty.

Posted by Connie
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Mar 5, 2013 at 4:17 pm

Very sad. This is going to happen more often because the majority of drivers (baby boomers) will be too old to drive, but since we don't have good public transportation, they'll want to hold on to their driver's licenses. The DMV says that drivers start causing more accidents when they hit age 60. I found this statistic when I was badly rear-ended by a 65 year old who said he didn't hear the sirens nor see all the stopped cars. Despite this, he is still on the road today.

Posted by S. L.
a resident of Martens-Carmelita
on Mar 5, 2013 at 4:31 pmS. L. is a registered user.

Just observed MVPD in action this afternoon with the use of a "pedestrian decoy" on northbound Shoreline between Mercy and Church. Very effective as there were several drivers pulled over patiently awaiting their citation for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Thank you MVPD for your efforts.

A vital message to pedestrians: never assume drivers can see you. Maintain vigilance at all times as you cross the roadway!! Yes, you have the right of way, but it is YOU that is going to get hurt if you don't stay ALERT.

And Driver's: pedestrians can suddenly appear so be extraordinarily attentive in neighborhoods and business districts.

Wishing utmost condolences to the families of the citizens we have lost over this past year.

Posted by life long resident of mv
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Mar 5, 2013 at 5:27 pmlife long resident of mv is a registered user.

I would NEVER blame the victim for what happened to her, but... People need to be more aware of their surroundings when they are pedestrians and/or cyclists. Looking both ways before crossing is still a must, and being distracted by cell phones while walking could be the last move you ever make. May the poor woman rest in peace!

Posted by Phyllis Neighbor
a resident of Cuesta Park
on Mar 5, 2013 at 10:47 pmPhyllis Neighbor is a registered user.

After numerous meetings in the past, the Cuesta Park neighborhood request for a traffic light at Hans and Phyllis was turned down. Apparently the city feels BANNING PLASTIC BAGS is a higher priority that protecting and serving the community! The city needs to stop their social engineering experiments and do what it takes to save lives. Install a traffic light now!!!